Suspension clamp



Aug 9, 1932.

N. A. WAHLBERG SUSPENSION CL-AMP Filed Aug. 29, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet IINVENTOR /V 75 H h/ah lerg.

' 'ATTORNEY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 v INVENTOR MZfi/ h/ah/berg.

/ AT'ORNEY Aug. 9, 1932. N. A. WAHLBERG SUSPENSION CLAMP Filed Aug. 29,1927 Patented Aug. 9, 1932 j warren stars PATENT Fl N ILS A. WAHLBERG,OI WILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTI N ELECTRIC 65MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA SUSPENSION CLAMPApplication filed August 29, 1927. Serial No. 216,144.

My invention relates to suspension clamps andparticularly to clamps forsupporting high-voltage transmission-line conductors.

One object of my invention is to provide a device of the above-indicatedcharacterthat shall reduce the fatigue efiects occurring in conductorsadjacent to the points of suspension thereof to thereby reduce thelikelihood of breakage of the conductors at these. points.

Another object of my invention is to provide a suspension clamp thatshall securely hold the conductor, that shall be easy to install andthat shall be neat and compact in appearance.

Another object of my invention is to provide a suspension clamp in whichcooperating clamping members, as one unit, and a suspension structure,as another unit, shall have substantially universal relative movement toreduce damaging forces in the conductor, in the clamp and in theadjacent insulator and supporting tower or other main supporting partswith which the clamp is associated.

A further object of my invention is to provide a suspension clamp thatshall be simple and durable in construction, economi cal to manufactureand eidective in its operation.

In high-voltage transmission-line practice, the conductors are subjectto fatigue, sometimes referred to as crystallization, at the positionswhere they are fixed by the clamps.

It is my aim to reduce fatigue in the conductors at the clampingpositions and to provide a clamp for th s purpose that shall have otherfeatures of advantages and economy and be an improvement, in general,over clamps heretofore employed.

Accordingly, in practicing my invention, I provide a suspension clampembodying clamping and suspension elements that are so disposed indisconnected supporting relation and in lost-motion connecting relationabout a center of relative movement adjacent to a center of movement ofthe conductor as to reduce fatigue of the conductor and to provide aclamp that has other features of advantage.

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings is a side elevations-.1 view of aclamp constructed in accordance with my invention,

Fig. 2 is a sectional view takensubstantially along the line HII of Fig.1,

Fig. 3 is a view, similar to Fig. .1, of a modified form of myinvention, 7

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line IV-IV ofFig. 3,

Fig. 5 is a view, similar to Figs. 1 and 3, of a it'lurther modifiedform of my invention, anc

Fig. 6 is a section view taken substantially along the line VIVI of Fig.5.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a conductorreceiving channel. member 2, forsupporting a conductor 3, comprises a lower seat portion 4:,verticallyextending side portions 6 and apertured side bosses 7 Aclampin g-shoe member 9,v for disposition over the conductor 3 in thechannel 2, has a slightly grooved under surface 10 and seat portions 12for the reception of U or J-bolts 14 which extend through the bosses andare held in position, as by nuts 15 and lock washers 16. v

A suspension structure, for the cooperating clamping members 2 and 9,comprises side members 18 which, with a lower bolt or pin element 19,constitute substantially a yoke-in which the members 2 and 9 aresuspended, the pin 19 cooperating with the seat portion 4 of the channelmember 2, whereby the channel member may pivot about the axis of the pin19- in relatively close proximity to the longitudinal axis of theconductor 3.

The vertical projections 6 of the channel member 2 are provided witharcuate slots 21, about the axis of the pin 19, in which a second pin 22is disposed. The pin 22 connects the side members 18 and is supported bya clevis or other suitable mounting member,

24 for attachment, as by a pin 25, to a suspension insulator. T

In the above-described structure, the clamping members 2 and 9 aresupported in disconnected relation to the pin 19 and connected. inlost-motion relation to the pin 22, by means of the slots 21.

In operation, oscillations of the line conductor 3, by reason of thelost-motion connection, above described, permit the clamping parts 2 and9 to oscillate freely with the conductor without transmitting violentvibration forces to the clevis member 24.- and to its adjacent connectedparts, such as the insulator and supporting tower. The constructionandrelation of parts are also such as to render them of ready andeconomical manufacture and easy assembly.

In Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6, corresponding parts are designated bycorresponding reference characters.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the structure is substantially the same asthat above described, with the exception that, instead of beingpivotally mounted to rock on the pin 19, as in Figs. 1 and 2, thechannel member 2 and its associated fixedly related parts are adaptedfor limited substantially universal movement relative to the suspensionstructure. To eifect this movement, the seat portion 4 of the channelmember 2 is modified to accommodate a seat member 27 on the pin 19, theportions 6 and 18 are disposed in spaced relation to each other and theportions 6 are also disposed in spaced relation to the clevis member 2&whereby, with the slots 21 of suitable width, the member 2 and itsassociated parts are permitted a certain amount of lateral movement inaddition to the rocking movement about the axis of the pin 19.

In the form of my invention shown in Figs 5 and 6, the structure'issimilar to that of Figs. 3 and 4, with the exception that the seatelements 4 and 27, instead of being in direct engagement with eachother, cooperate through a ball or other suitable bearing member 28 topermit the above-mentioned limited universal relative movement betweenthe clamping and suspension elements.

While I have shown and described particular forms of my invention,changes may be effected therein without departing from the spirit andscope thereof as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A clamp comprising a suspension member having a seat, co-operatingclamping members disposed on said seat, one of said members having aco-operating portion for position on said seat and one of said membershaving a slot shaped in accordance with rocking movement of the clampingmembers on the suspension seat to provide a lostmotion connection tosaid suspension member, said suspension member being connected to theclamping members only through said slot. f I 2. A suspension clampcomprising a conductor-receiving channel member having an under-sideseat and vertical-side projections having registering arcuate slotsabout a transbers, a member connected between the lower ends of saidside members and co-operating with said seat, a member between the upperends of said side members for mounting the clamp and connecting meansextending be tween said side and mounting members through said slots;

3. A suspension clamp comprising a conductor-receiving channel memberhaving an under-side recess and vertical-side projections havingregistering arcuate slots above said recess about an axis transverse tothe channel of said member adjacent to said recess, means for clampingthe conductor in the channel, and a suspension structure embodying sidemembers in laterally spaced relation to said projections, a membersupported between the lower ends of said side members and disposed insaid recess, a member between the upper ends of said side members inspaced relation thereto for mounting the clamp and connecting meansextending between said side and mounting members through said slots.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 24th dayof August,

- NILS A. WAHLBERG.

